Sea Salt vs. Table Salt: Which One Is Better for You?

Shanna Mallon

You may have heard that the minerals in sea salt make it healthy, but is that true?

Photo: Angelus_Svetlana/Shutterstock

Sea Salt vs. Table Salt

You’ve probably given some thought to the type of salt you use at home—particularly, whether you choose sea salt or good old-fashioned table salt. Less processed than traditional table salt, both sea salt and Himalayan salt retain more of their original mineral content, such as magnesium and potassium. But do the trace minerals and elements mean sea salt is healthy?

It turns out—maybe not.

Lots of people think sea salt is better because of its minerals—but sea salt and table salt have the same basic nutritional value, according to the Mayo Clinic. Both sea salt and table salt also have a similar amount of sodium by weight.

What About the Iodine in Table Salt?

Produced in salt mines, traditional table salt is more processed than sea salt. This means it’s mostly devoid of natural minerals, which might be where a lot of table salt’s bad press comes from. It’s worth noting, however, that since the 1920s, producers have added iodine to processed salt. It’s an important mineral for keeping your thyroid happy. (Check out our roundup of heart-healthy foods that lower cholesterol.)

Here’s the Bottom Line

When it comes to salt intake, your best bet is moderation. No one type of salt is better for you, so you can’t go wrong by lowering your intake.

Shanna Mallon is a copywriter in Nashville, TN. A veteran blogger, she writes about food, health, recipes and businesses in Tennessee. Her work has been featured by Better Homes & Gardens, BlogHer and Entrepreneur. Clients she's worked with on content creation, photography and recipe development include Vitamix, Larabar, Blue Cross Blue Shield and Taste of Home.

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